My Genealogy Hound

Benjamin F. Scott, a most highly respected retired farmer, who has resided at Ortonville, Brandon township, Oakland County, for some years, is one of the large land owners of this part of the State. His farms in Oakland and Lapeer counties cover more than 617 acres of some of the best land in Michigan. Mr. Scott was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, April 9, 1828, and is a son of Mathias and Catherine (Kimball) Scott, natives of New Jersey and of Irish and Holland Dutch descent.

The father of our subject followed farming all his life. He died in 1830 and was survived by his widow until about 1863. They reared a family of 12 children, of whom our subject was the youngest. The only other survivor is his brother, Erin, who resides in New Jersey. One of his sisters, Mrs. Rebecca F. Allen, was at one time a resident of Pontiac, and one brother, Stephen, died years ago in Brandon township, Oakland County, his farm now being owned and occupied by his son Mathias.

Benjamin F. Scott came to Michigan in 1849, and first took up 80 acres of land in Hadley township, just over the line in Lapeer County, and has continued to add to it until, as mentioned above, his possessions reach over 600 acres, located in both counties. Since Mr. Scott has retired from activity, the upper farm is most capably managed by his son-in-law, Myron Giles, and the lower one just as efficiently by his son, Benjamin F. Scott, Jr.

Mr. Scott was married at Pontiac to Betsey Reddin, who was born January 23, 1833, in the town of Cobourg, Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Diamond) Reddin, natives of Canada, of Dutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Reddin moved to Michigan when Mrs. Scott was four years old and located in St. Clair County. Two children, a daughter and son, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Scott, viz: Nancy, who is the wife of Myron Giles, of Oregon, Lapeer County; and Benjamin F., Jr. The latter married Viola Williams and they have four children, namely: Nancy, Benjamin, David and Grover, with ages ranging from 19 to nine years.

Mr. Scott has always been identified with the Democratic party. He has taken an active part in the development of his section of the county and has served as highway commissioner in former days. He also joined the Grange and while in active life was one of its leading members.